Thursday, July 25, 2013

The Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) Elevation Program is a reimbursement grant program designed to help homeowners with the elevation of their primary single-family residences to meet the requirements of the flood insurance risk maps in flood-prone communities. The program is limited to the Sandy-impacted communities of Atlantic, Bergen, Cape May, Essex, Hudson, Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean and Union. There are no income requirements for the program and FEMA registration is not required in order to apply. Eligible applicants can receive reimbursement of up to $30,000 for elevations on existing single-family homes.

As part of the ‘reNew Jersey Stronger’ housing initiative, an application can be made to both the Homeowner Reconstruction, Rehabilitation, Elevation and Mitigation (RREM) Program and the HMGP Elevation Program, but homeowners may receive a grant award from only one of the programs. Homes targeted for buyout under the state’s HMGP acquisition program are not eligible to participate. Additionally, federal regulations restrict homeowners who have already begun elevation work from applying.

Homeowners can use any elevation contractor registered in New Jersey that is qualified to do the work. Once all necessary documents are received and the home elevation is completed, the homeowner will be reimbursed for all eligible expenses.

The HMGP Elevation Program application period is now open and closes on September 15, 2013.

Eligible homeowners can apply for elevation grant assistance at http://www.renewjerseystronger.org/hmgp/, by calling 1-855-SANDYHM (1-855-726-3946), or by visiting one of the Housing Recovery Centers open in each of the nine most-impacted counties.

NOTE: Individuals must apply to the HMGP Elevation Program directly regardless of whether they previously submitted Letters of Intent (LOI) or online applications with their local municipal governments.

Friday, July 19, 2013

Sandy-impacted homeowners have until August 1, 2013 to apply for the Reconstruction, Rehabilitation, Elevation and Mitigation (RREM) and Homeowner Resettlement Programs. After August 1, applications will no longer be accepted for the two grant programs. Eligible homeowners can apply for grant assistance online at www.renewjerseystronger.org, by phone at 1-855-SANDYHM (1-855-726-3946), or in person at any one of the Housing Recovery Centers open in each of the nine counties most affected by Superstorm Sandy (Atlantic, Bergen, Cape May, Essex, Hudson, Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean, and Union).

The initial application period for the grant programs ended on June 30, 2013. Applications received between June 30th and August 1st will be considered after all the applications from the initial application period have been processed, including those that were placed on the wait list. People on the wait list and people who applied after June 30th will be considered for a possible grant award when additional federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Disaster Recovery funding becomes available, which is expected this fall.

Tuesday, July 16, 2013

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and New Jersey Department of Health (DOH), in cooperation with municipal and county governments, are doing everything possible to ensure recreational beaches are safe and clear of debris. However, the ocean is dynamic. Currents and waves may uncover storm debris at any time. You should always be aware of your surroundings when entering the ocean. All beachgoers should use common sense and caution while on beaches and swimming. Always use beaches with lifeguards.

On Sunday evening July 14, 2013, the Long Beach Island Health Department was notified by the Beach Haven Police Department that small pieces of metal were observed and collected along the shoreline between 11Th and 14Th Street in the Borough of Beach Haven. The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection was notified through the emergency hotline at 1-877-WARNDEP. The pieces of material appear similar to the wiring of old dune fencing that may have been destroyed by Hurricane Sandy. A survey on Monday morning July 15, 2013, of 17 blocks from 2Nd Street in Beach Haven to 19Th Street in North Beach Haven, collected about a dozen pieces of this material.

Beach patrols have been notified and are directed to canvass their beaches. Should material be identified that presents a safety concern, the area should be closed and if possible relocate the swimming area to another beach.

Who should I contact if I see debris at the beach? You should immediately contact a lifeguard. If a lifeguard is not available, call the local police, the local health department, or the DEP hotline at 1-877-WARNDEP (1-877-927-6337) or by email to waterwaydebris@dep.state.nj.us.

Tuesday, July 2, 2013

Reconstruction, Rehabilitation, Elevation and Mitigation (RREM) and Homeowner Resettlement Notifications Set for Week of July 8, 2013

The initial application period for the ‘reNew Jersey Stronger’ housing assistance grants for homeowners impacted by Superstorm Sandy closed yesterday, June 30, 2013. All applications received during the initial application period will be in the first group processed. Grant selection will be prioritized for homeowners with the most damage (i.e., substantial, severe and major) and those households in one of the nine most impacted counties with the greatest financial need. To ensure that all homeowners that applied during the initial application period have an equal chance to be selected, the order in which applicants are selected will be determined by an electronic random ordering process.

Beginning the week of July 8, 2013, all applicants for the Homeowner Reconstruction, Rehabilitation, Elevation and Mitigation (RREM) and/or Homeowner Resettlement grants by June 30 will notified of the status of their application. The letter will inform them either that they have been selected to receive a grant award, they did not meet the eligibility requirements, or they have been placed on the program’s wait list.

Federal funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for both grant programs were very limited, as a result, we will not be able to provide grants to all eligible applicants. When additional funds are made available by the federal government in the coming months, applicants on the wait list may be able to receive a grant through the RREM or Resettlement program at that time.

Monday, June 24, 2013

Long Beach Township would like to send this reminder to primary residents of the town. You may be eligible to register for the following two storm relief grant programs that are being administered by the State of New Jersey’s Department of Community Affairs. Even if you have applied for the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) you should also register for these programs. The HMGP application is still pending and any updates will be posted on the township website and joint emergency management page.

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

TRENTON, NJ ─ New Jersey residents with questions about the National Flood Insurance Program and mitigation techniques have a helpline to call to get the most up-to-date information.

The number is 1-877-287-9804 for people who need information about flood insurance, the latest maps, or other mitigation topics and issues. Policyholders with questions or concerns about their claims may also speak with NFIP specialists.

The helpline operates from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday-Friday. Additional information is available at www.floodsmart.gov.